Hello! I'm Christian (Kristen). I'm a proactive pensioner, involved in many cultural and social projects here in Paris. I'm a history buff, with a strong interest in European and French history. I've lived for several years in Paris - at a short walking distance from Montmartre. I've lived in six European countries and visited all of them. I speak fluently English, as I'm British educated. I am a Norwegian-born Italian.
The midday tour will start from the Blanche square, and snake its way through the Montmartre streets and alleyways to highlight its history and its association with the impressionist painters.
The idea is to show the essential Montmartre in a nut shell. So showing the mainly the upper parts of Montmartre. This is an ideal tour for people short of time.
While gradually walking up to the summit of the Montmartre hill, I'll be showing the best cafes with views, the locations of the famous artist's ateliers, interesting architectural features of the 'village' part of Montmartre, and other more recent artistic curiosities of 20th century Montmartre.
To save time, we'll not be entering the two Montmartre museums or the churches. But passing in front of them, I'll give a short presentation about each of them.
This tour will give you a good experience and feel of what Montmartre is all about, so you can claim to have visited this famous neighborhood.
The tour will also give you advice on what else to see, especially the interior of various buildings of touristic interest. So join me on this tour!
Some of the stops are,
This is a good introductory tour of Montmartre, with over 20 stops in under two hours.
This is what you would call a ‘whirlwind’ tour of Montmartre, so any place that inspires curiosity, can be explored more in depth after the tour. Which conveniently ends a short walking distance to Montmartre’s central square.
The maximum size of the touring group will be twelve persons, but usually it will be between two to six persons, as large groups can be an unsatisfying experience for the individual walker.
Free tours do not have a set price, instead, each person gives the guru at the end of the tour the amount that he or she considers appropriate (these usually range from €10 to $50 depending on satisfaction with the tour).
Outside of the metro Place Blanche (I’ll be holding a blue folder & brown grey rucksack, standing beside the newspaper stand). Opposite the number 78 of Boulevard de Clichy, on the central pedestrian walkway.
Presentation of Saint Jean modernistic church at corner of Place Abbesse.
Briefly present Abbesse metro station and Love Wall mural.
Replica of herbal garden of now demolished Monastery. Introduce Association of Old Montmartre.
Cafe Le Relais de la Butte, first view over Paris
Place where there was a co-operative of artists, first abode of Pablo Picasso.
House of Dalida , 1980s pop singer.
Galette windmill - an example of the old windmills once present in Montmartre
Old 11 the century access road to Montmartre
Presentation Sandrin hospital and La Commanderie du Clos Montmartre(Cultural association)
La bonne franquette restaurant, and presentation of Van Gogh's life in Paris - in front of placards describing his life in France.
House of Maurice Utrillo, painter.
Presentation of only vineyard left in Montmartre.
Introduction to Pigalle and presentation of Moulin Rouge cabaret theater
Presentation museum and studio of August Renoir.
View of first windmill, Blutot Fin. Comments on area.
Filming location of 'Amalie's fantastic adventures' at Cafe Deux Moulin. Presentation of Rue Lepic
View over North side of Paris, iconic souvenir photo with lamp post.
Beautiful square, been there since the 12 th century. Despite being covered by restaurant tables and hordes of tourists, it’s still worth to see.
Presentation museum , other views south side Paris.
Second last stop of tour. The founding of the church with its associated Monastery was fundamental in creating the Montmartre village in the 12th century.
End of tour, the Basilica will be presented, together with details on how to catch metro, see the best views and answering questions.
Free tours do not have a set price, instead, each person gives the guru at the end of the tour the amount that he or she considers appropriate (these usually range from €10 to $50 depending on satisfaction with the tour).
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